Virat Kohli has announced his triumphant return to top-tier ODI cricket, earning Player of the Series honors against South Africa with an astounding 302 runs across three matches. His performance, including two centuries and a fifty, led India to a 2-1 series victory. Kohli’s fluid batting, aggressive running, and powerful hitting evoked memories of his dominant peak from 2016-2019.
Following the series decider, the veteran batsman shared his immense satisfaction, admitting, “I don’t think I have played at this level for a good 2-3 years now.” He expressed a sense of mental freedom and overall improvement in his game, stating, “the whole game is coming together nicely.” Kohli highlighted the importance of taking risks and pushing boundaries, explaining, “When I play freely, then I know I can hit sixes… I just wanted to have some fun because I was batting well, just take a bit more risk.”
He singled out his first ODI century in Ranchi as his favorite innings of the series, a knock that helped him rediscover a potent confidence. “Ranchi was very special for me because it just opened me up in a way that I haven’t felt for a while,” Kohli remarked. Reflecting on the challenges of a long career, Kohli acknowledged periods of self-doubt but emphasized how overcoming these fears is integral to a batsman’s journey and personal growth.